Chapter Text
When you see her red hair in the corner of your eyes, closing in, your first thought is to jerk back.
The dulled pain in the back of your head sends warning signals to you.
But you are Sou Hiyori, therefore you will turn back and smile harmlessly as if the incident before held no importance.
"How can I help you, Miss Nao?"
The woman fidgets cautiously at your smile, like a wild animal. All too frightened, mindless to do much on her own.
It is all so humorous that you wish to laugh.
Of all people to act as victim towards you, she is the least qualified.
If the leash of morality no longer binds her, you are sure she'll strike him down again at her own convenience.
However, you cannot argue or bring up that incident now, because it will simply draw more hostility towards your act in the first Main Game.
No one believes in you, this fact is abundantly clear.
So for now, you will lay low.
Nao held her left elbow insecurely, as if there is something of worth to be said between them.
She has something to ask of you, yet even in front of you she is still debating whether to talk to you or not.
Discomfort and disorientation pours from her body language facing you.
Another you would feel hurt from this reaction.
But you are Sou Hiyori, so the feelings of others held towards you does not affect you personally.
"N-Never mind me," She lies, the circles under her eyes and barely contained despair crawling under her skin.
"Is that so, if you want to do an attraction, feel free to inform me."
There ends a conversation both parties put no effort in maintaining.
Silence fell between them once again.
You carefully tracks her movement, thinking of all the reasons she might come to you, your plastered grin unchanged.
Of all the times for Kanna to leave him and work on an attraction.
You hate to admit that you would feel safer with that quiet little girl around.
Nao attempts in a fruitless conversation again. "A-Ah, W-Where's Kanna? I haven't seen her in a while..."
She spends most of her free time with AI Mishima before, even though 'he' is destroyed now she still has more connections than you, so it is odd to see her alone without that punk Singer woman.
Speaking of Kanna, your mood lightens, "I'm waiting for her, she's doing an attraction with Miss Sara." Your mood then quickly sours as you speak a certain high school girl's name.
"...I see, Kanna and Sara is doing their best too," These names seem to remind her of something, as her eyes light up a little bit more. Her back straighter and she maintained clearer speech.
You are unsure why a name can rile such reactions in people. Perhaps Sara is a like a fake commercial in televisions that everyone is so taken by its charm they ignore that it is not real. You do not wish to understand such infatuation.
You wish to leave.
But you are Sou Hiyori, so even though you are sick of it all you will play along.
"Right, we should do our best too, Miss Nao,"
Nao reaches out for you, you feel your entire body tense.
A call for help dies as quickly as it appeared.
Because who will really help you here? It's useless to call.
She notices your moment of stiffness and step back,
"...Sou, can I believe in you?"
A look of guilt and hope mixes on her delicate features.
Belief in one another?
What is she playing at?
You want to laugh.
You scanned the bags under her eyes, the wrinkles in her clothes, and her swimming pupils as if she is cautioning against something watching her.
Suddenly, Kanna popped up in your mind, her nightmares and her despair. Her eyes brightened when you said you could help her.
Against your better judgment, you nodded.
Maybe you'll regret agreeing to helping her without asking for any details.
Maybe there is something planned against you.
Trust is so cheap among the participants here.
You shouldn't have nodded.
Sou Hiyori would ask for a return, struck a deal, pry her weakness out.
However, that flame rekindled in her the moment you agreed. It lit so beautifully.
That hope struck the ashes--the last semblance of yourself--hidden in you, creating embers that is close to warmth.
But you are not truly Sou Hiyori, so in this moment you foolishly, eagerly give out your trust.